Incandescent-lamp retainer and mounting



Feb. 28, 1928. 1,661,138

R. M. HiLL INCANDESCENT LAMP RETAINER AND MOUNTING Filed May 28, 1923 Patented Feb. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES ROGER M. HILL, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COL UMBIA.

INCANDESCENT-LAMP RETAINER AND MOUNTING.

Application filed Kay 28, 1923. Serial No. 642,081.

This invention generically relates to illuminating fixtures, but more particularly it is directed to an incandescent lamp retainer and mounting of the type used in motion picture, stereopticon, flood light and similar apparatus.

One of the principal objects of this invention is the provision of an incandescent lamp retainer and mounting which will materially expedite lamp removal and replacement and eliminate the many difficulties now attending these operations in the prevailing designs of projection apparatus.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a fixture affording a quick detachable engagement between the lamp retainer and its mounting with concomitant establishment of the filament circuit.

Another object of this invention is to provide an attachment of the character specified embodying the requisite features of simplicity, efficiency and durability and which may be readily applied to any of the standard designs of projection apparatus.

With these and other objects in view this invention consists in certain novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be more articular-1y hereinafter set forth and claime Briefly stated, this invention comprises an anchoring plate and arm extending outwardly and downwardly from the plate, a seat formed at the free end of said arm, an incandescent lamp retainer, means for effecting a quick detachable engagement between the lamp retainer and the seat, and means for; conducting electrical energy to and from the lamp filament concomitant with the seatin of the lamp retainer.

ferring more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which correspond ing parts are indicated by similar reference characters:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating the fixtures formmg the subject matter of this invention in its operative position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the bracket with the lamp socket removed.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the bracket with the lamp socket removed.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectionized end view of the fixture completely assembled, and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Not infrequently during motion picture exhibitions the incandescent lamp of the projecting apparatus, due to a sudden excessive current or to continued usage, burns out, whereupon it becomes necessary to effect a replacement as quickly as possible.

\Vith the quick detachable lamp mountings now used, considerable time is lost in effecting a lamp change, as the separable components of the mounting, due to the high operating temperature of the lamp, frequently stick and in consequence render separation of the parts more or less difficult.

Moreover, the releasemcnt mechanism for disengaging the lamp and its mounting, in the present types, is not only very hot but in majority of instances, inaccessible, so that the operator in making the change must labor under the most distadvantageous conditions.

Manifestly these defects materially increase the time required for the substitution and add to the annoyance of the audience which is impatiently awaiting continuance of the exhibition.

It is therefore the aim and purpose of this invention to provide a fixture which is devoid of the objectionable features mentioned and so designed as to enable the operator to make a change from one lamp to another without any undue loss of time.

In the illustrated embodiment characterizing this invention there is shown an incandescent lamp mounting comprising an elongated anchoring plate (1) which in the present instance is shown as securedto and insulated from one of the eomplemental plates (26) comprising the lower carbon holder of an electric arc mechanism, a fragmentary portion of which is shown in Fig. 1, the same being fully described in my pending application No. 622,219. It is to be understood however, that plate (1) may be secured to the back or an other available part of the machine depen ing on the type of apparatus used.

The above mentioned are mechanism forms no part of this invention and is merely shown to more clearly illustrate the manner in which an arc lamp mechanism may be converted to one using the incandescent lamp, by attaching the mounting which is the subject of this invention. The fragmentary section of the arc mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, shows that part of the mechanism most suitable for the attachment of the incandescent lamp mounting and consists of a lower carbon holder composed of complementary plates, one of which is removed (not shown). The anchoring plate of the incandescent lamp mounting is at tached to the remaining plate (2(3) by bolts (28) and (29) and insulated therefrom by means of the insulating strip (27), having insulating bushings (30) and (31) passing through the anchoring plate, the insulating strip (27) and the complementary plate (1) which is attached to the arc aligning mechanism. The remaining portion of the arc mechanism here shown consists of a reflector supporting plate (32) from the outer surface of which projects, at e ually distant points, resilient grips (33) whic 1 are adapted to be engaged with the periphery of a refiector (34).

Integral with and extending outwardly and downwardly from plate (1) is an arm (2), terminating in a substantially rectangu ar enlargement or support (3), which is ormed with a semi-circular raised portion (4) providing a seat for the base of the lamp retainer to be described.

In oneof the side walls of enlargement (3) is formed a vertically extending groove or recess (5) the inner end of which is wedge shaped as at (6). To the opposite side wall of enlargement (3) is secured a terminal plate (8), suitably insulated by insulating strips (10 between which it is interposed. Rivetedly secured to terminal plate (8) is a resilient brush support (11) avin at its upper end a metallic gauze (12) orming a brush for contact with the sleeve portion of the lamp retainer.

An incandescent lamp is operatively positioned upon the mounting just described, by means of a retainer consisting of an annular base (13) of insulating material, a threaded metal sleeve having inturned metal flanges secured to the base as at (1 1), and a circular shank (15) depending from the central portion of the base.

When the retainer is positioned upon the mounting as shown in Figures 1 and 4, shank (15) seats in opening (5) of the mounting wherein it is secured by a locking device about to be described.

In order to provide for the transmission of electrical energy from the mounting to the retainer and from the latter to the lamp filament, the upper end of shank (15) is exposed through base (13) to form a contact (16) for engagement with the central contact (17) of an incandescent lamp (18).

To firmly position the retainer upon its seat and rigidly secure it in this position a locking device is employed consisting of a shatt (19) having a reduced external] y threaded portion (20) which screws into a suitably threaded opening (21) in the nee-i ea mounting, and an operating knob (23) of insulating material aflixed to the free end of shaft (19).

ltteduction oi shaft (19) to form threaded portion (20) produces the flange or shoulder (22) which overlaps the recess (5) for engagement with the shank (15) of the retainer so that when the locking device is rotated in a clockwise direction the shoulder (22) frictionally engaging the shank (15) of theu'etainer draws the latter laterally into the recess and downwardly of the support (3) to thus firmly position thelbase (13) of the retainer upon its seat (4). At the termination of its rotary movement the locking device having forced the shank (15) of the retainer into the wedge-shaped portion (6) of recess will effect a rigid securement of the retainer in its seated position. 1

To conduct electrical energy to and from the mounting, binding posts 24 and 25 are affixed to anchoring plate (1) and terminal plate (8) as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings.

When the lamp retainer and mounting have been assembled as described, and an incandescent lamp positioned in the retainer an electrical circuit is established, from binding post (24:) through anchoring plate (1), arm (2), enlargement (3), shank (15) to the central contact (17 of the lamp plug (18) and thence through the filament of the lamp, sleeve (14), brush (l2) and brush support (11), terminal plate (8) to binding post (25).

In conclusion, it is evident, through the use of this invention, a lamp renewal may be made by simply disengaging the retainer from its mounting and replacing the defective lamp and retainer with a similar as sembly held in readiness for such an emergency. Obviously the time interval required for this operation is very short and consequently the interruption of the projection performance is thus reduced to an almost negligible period.

Moreover, as the operative parts essential to quick disengagement of the retainer and mounting are all well exposed, the operator experiences no difliculty whatsoever, in effecting the change.

Although the present embodiment of this invention has given excellent results, slight changes may be necessary in the design of the retainer to accommodate the latest improved types of mazda incandescent lamps, but it is to be understood these minor changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or sacrificing any of the principles of this invention.

Having described what I claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. in an illuminating fixture tor projection apparatus the combination with an incandescent lamp retainer including a base and a depending shank, of a support having a seat and a recess opening inwardly from the edge of said seat to receive the retainer shank, a locking device having a shoulder in threaded engagement with the support and over-lapping the recess for engagement with the shank, said locking device when rotated in a predetermined direction frictionally engaging'the shank to draw the latter downwardly into the recess so that the retainer is firmly positioned upon said seat, said looking device at the termination of its rotary movement effecting a rigid securement of the retainer upon said seat and means for establishing an electrical path to and from the retainer simultaneous with its positionment upon said seat.

2. In an illuminating fixture for projection apparatus the combination with an incandescent lamp retainer including a base and a depending shank, of a support having a horizontal seat formed with a vertical recess opening inwardly from its edge to receive the retainer shank, a locking device in threaded engagement with the support and having a surface overlapping the recess for cooperation with said shank, said device when rotated clockwise frictionally engaging the shank to draw the latter laterally into the recess and downwardly of the support so that the retainer is firmly ositioned upon said seat, said locking device at the termination of its rotary movement effecting a rigid securement of the retainer upon its seat, and means for establishing an electrical path to and from the retainer simultaneous with its positionment upon said seat.

3. In an illuminating fixture for projection apparatus the combination with an incandescent lamp retainer including a base and a depending shank, of a support having a seat formed with a vertical recess opening inwardly from its edge to receive the retainer shank, the rear portions of the opposite walls of said recess being converged inwardly to form a wedge-shaped opening, a locking device in threaded engagement with the support and having a surface overlapping the recess for cooperation with said shank, said locking device when rotated in a predetermined direction frictionally engaging the shank to force the latter laterally through the recess into said wedge-shaped opening and downwardly on the support so that the retainer is firmly positioned upon said seat, said locking device at the termination of its rotary movement effecting a rigid securement of the retainer upon its seat and means for establishing an electrical path to and from the retainer simultaneous with its positionment upon said seat.

, ROGER M. HILL. 

